IoT: Skillset Required

When it comes to the Internet of Things, there are certain skills required to be able to implement and maintain it. Go to far, and you’ve got an overly complicated system that few can use and has many redundant features. Don’t set up enough and you simply won’t have the data you need to make an impact in your business. The IoT is a very delicate system and as such, requires people that understand it fully. Unfortunately, those people are few and in high demand.

Most businesses just don’t have the skills.

A recent survey of mid to large-sized companies showed that the vast majority of businesses are interested in implementing IoT features. That same survey also showed that few are actually ready to deal with the change. The biggest problem? A stark lack of skills. Only 20% of companies interested in IoT said they were confident they had the skills needed to implement their IoT plans.

Security, support, and data specialists are among the most demanded. With such a high demand though, having people in-house has become a challenge for many. In fact, nearly 75% of businesses said they had plans to outsource at least part of their IoT workload. When a skillset is in such low supply and high demand, there’s really no other option.

What skills are needed in the IoT?

For starters, you need to be able to understand technology, how it works, and how to embed systems accordingly. Understanding the capabilities of machines, what’s needed, and where its needed is key to efficiency and a key part of being an IoT expert.

You’ll also need some knowledge of networking, computer programming, and cloud computing. Communication is what keeps the IoT alive, and these skills allow your sensors to do just that. With cloud computing, you’re able to handle the massive amounts of data being sent much more easily.

A background in big data can help, too. You have to remember that your sensors are going to be sending huge amounts of data out. Being able to analyse and interpret this data is absolutely necessary when working in the IoT.

Lastly, network security is a huge addition that can help. Making things work properly is great, but keeping them safe is just as important. With scandals such as the attack on Dyn, you’ve got to be very careful on how you’re sending and receiving data. Knowing a bit about cyber security is a necessity when it comes to working on the Internet of Things.

When it comes to a game-changer like the IoT, it’s not unexpected to have such a big demand/supply disparity at the start. A different set of skills is required for it than has been for most other jobs, and training for it takes time. As it stands, outsourcing and offering training programmes is a company’s best bet for breaking into the IoT-era.